Oregon Ducks fall camp position breakdown: Quarterbacks

The Oregonian/OregonLive will be previewing each of 10 position groups leading up to the start of Oregon’s fall camp on Aug. 2. The first installment in the series reviews the quarterbacks.
For the first time since 2019, Oregon opens the season with a returning starting quarterback.
Bo Nix is back, as is Ty Thompson, and Austin Novosad got the benefit of enrolling early. There is a clear hierarchy in the room and no need to even act like there’s a competition for roles.
The only questions for the position are how much each signal caller can improve in their respective role to make the Ducks that much better this season.
Returning starter: Bo Nix, fifth-year senior
Other returning players: Ty Thompson, redshirt-sophomore; Austin Novosad, freshman
Departed: Jay Butterfield (transferred to San Jose State)
Summer arrivals: n/a
Outlook: Nix enters the season as one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Pac-12 and the country. He significantly shifted the national narrative about his play from his years at Auburn and has a chance to end his career as originally planned if he can put together another big season.
Oregon has more weapons around Nix this season, especially at receiver. Offensive coordinator Will Stein has called plays for explosive passing attacks and how he and Nix meld will dictate how well the Ducks move the ball through the air.
A reloaded offensive line, while still experienced and more talented than most all opponents it’ll face, is not to be totally overlooked. Nix will have a role getting the new group on the same page with on-field calls and adjustments. He’ll also likely see a decline in some rushing production if for no other reason than the number of plays UO can run from inside the 5-yard line was extremely high last season.
Thompson is clearly the backup and he should see more opportunities to throw this season, provided UO builds enough big leads against overmatched opponents. The best-case scenario is Thompson gets to play a lot, delivers on the promise that made him Oregon’s highest-rated high school quarterback recruit, and ends the season as the favorite to win the job in 2024.
Novosad got limited run in the spring game and appears to be a candidate to redshirt based on depth and experience.
Battle to WATCH: There shouldn’t be one.
Keep an Eye on: Nix. If all goes according to plan, Oregon fans will be remembering his final season for a long time.
Projected two deep:
Bo Nix (6-foot-2, 213 pounds)
Ty Thompson (6-foot-4, 224 pounds)